Product Review: Joico Bio-advanced Restorative Treatment

This Joico K-pak Revitaluxe Bio-advanced Restorative Treatment is quite aggressive in protein deposit.  Without any heat and only a quick instant massage through the ends seems to be overkill in natural and relaxed African American hairtypes.  It seemed to cause some dryness to the hair using alone so I do suggest following up with a moisturizing conditioner without protein to balance it out.

Those with "oily hair" and receiving highlighting on a regular basis may find it a good monthly treatment that is quick and can be done in the shower.

As far as ingredients are concerned, the fifth ingredient is propylene glycol.  The second ingredient is glycerin.    Toward the end of the ingredient list is sodium hydroxide.  Overall, the ingredients are half good and half bad.  It will not be re-purchasing this treatment.  The store manager recommended it, but it is just not the best fit for my clientele.

Product Review: Sedal versus Sedal Co-creations

I did a product review on the Sedal line for curly hair a few months back, and I just completed a product review on the Ouidad line for curly hair. Guess what? The two lines have a "co-creation!" Pictured is two Sedal product lines for curly hair. The Sedal/Ouidad Co-creation conditioning treatment has healthier ingredients such as glycerin versus the regular Sedal line which has propylene glycol. I have written other articles about avoiding propylene glycol as much as possible. The "Sedal Co-creation" version is a little more expensive. It is about $4 more than regular Sedal conditioning treatment, but it is worth it if the ingredients are better. There are expiration dates on the jars. I still like the Sedal line. Please separate article on Sedal line for more information.

Making Texturized Type 4c hair Wash n' Go!

Hair by Benita Blocker. This is a picture of Type 4c curl pattern that is "texlaxed" or texturized. The "Wash n Go" terminology is typical for Type 3 hair, but it usually means an "afro" for Type 4 hair. On the other hand, texturizing type 4 hair using a mild relaxer or a permanent haircolor reduces the curl pattern and softens the hair. This softening can cause the hair strands to go limp if the curl product is too oily or too heavy. So after a little trial and error, I discovered a "wash n go" regimen that seems to be light, curl defining, and prevents shrinkage (i.e. holds the style). Also, it is simple enough to repeat every morning! Yay!!!!
The regimen: 1) Start off with KeraCare Cleansing Cream. Shampoo with this between 1 and 3 times depending on how "soiled" your hair is. 2) Towel blot; skip deep conditioning because it will make the hair strands too soft. 3)Add Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner. Use moderately. Too much may cause crystallization with the next product. However, you need this leave-in conditioner for volume purposes. 4) Work the KeraCare Defining Custard through the hair. This product consistency is like "egg whites" but not sticky. 5) Style and diffuse or style and air dry.

Voila! Three products and about 15 minutes max!

NOTE: The hair should be cut or shaped to support a wash n go style. Also, texturize the new growth as needed. If you are wetting the hair everyday, you will not need to texturize as often. Also, I tried the KeraCare Natural Textures Leave-in Conditioner. It worked fine, but it has propylene glycol in it. The Mixed Chicks Leave-in conditioner is healthier for the hair because of the glycerin in it. Please see my other articles on propylene glycol and other potential cancer causing ingredients.

Going natural is a great summer experiment!!!! Enjoy!

Product Review: Mizani Conditioning Curl Wash

Mizani's True Textures for Natural Curls Cleansing Cream Conditioning Curl Wash was a disappointment; however, it does have its place in the curly hair world.

I found that had to use a lot of product in an attempt to cleanse my clients' curly hair. The product description states that it is a mild, low-lathering curl wash. If you are a "wash n' go" hair person, then this curl wash is perfect to maintain your moisture level. However, if you need to use a defining gel to wet twist your hair, then this curl wash leaves a little too much build up behind. The defining gel may not be able to cling and hold the twists as well.

Also, sometimes product buildup can reduce the shine ability of the hair. You will need a more clarifying shampoo to alternate with this Mizani conditioning curl wash. I still like the KeraCare Cleansing Cream better because it has more glycerin in it. The Mizani Conditioning Curl Wash has more propylene glycol in it. I have been trying to avoid products that contain heavy amounts of propylene glycol.

I had run out of my KeraCare Cleansing Cream and figured the Mizani curl wash was a great substitute. It served its purpose, but I think that it lacked the intense shine that I was looking for at the finish. It is amazing how one product can make all the difference in the world.

Sally's Beauty Supply offers Beauty Knockoffs!

OMG! I was in Sally's Beauty Supply recently, and I saw so many bottle and product packaging that looked like brand names from the first glance. I thought I saw "AG" "Rusk" "Moccocan Oil" and pictured here "Mixed Chicks." But look closer the product pictured says "Mixed Silk." The shape of the jar and colors look like "Mixed Chicks" packaging. Even the "Mixed Silk" shampoo was the same color as the "Mixed Chicks" shampoo. I was amazed. I picked up this jar of conditioner to look at the ingredients. Guess what? They had used propylene glycol instead of glycerin to make this conditioner. The original Mixed Chicks deep conditioner uses glycerin which is much more expensive and healthier for your hair. Please see my articles on Mixed Chicks deep conditioner and the brand Onesta which is free of propylene glycol.
Also, I found knockoff tools in Sally's. This "root control" tool entered the market about four or five years ago by a company called R Session Tools. It runs over $100. This knockoff is half that price in Sally's Beauty Supply.
I do not know about the quality difference. I purchased the original tool about five years ago, and I did not feel that it was healthy at high temperatures for ethnic hair. Heat protection sprays were needed. My original Root Control tool by R Session Tools eventually fell apart. I may have dropped it one too many times, but the thrill was gone within six months of purchasing it. That round cylinder heating element in the center either did not hold the hair straight or when too hot, seemed to cause erosion of the hair cuticle resulting in longer term damage.

In summary, please compare ingredients when considering the "knockoff" versions of beauty products. They may smell alike and look alike, but they may not work exactly the same. Also, the knockoff versions may be more diluted so you may use more at one time than if you bought the higher price concentrated original brand name. With the knockoff tools, I have not received any feedback on the differences. I only purchase brand name tools for professionals.

This was a quick review on off-brand hair care products and tools from Sally's Beauty Supply/stores.

Onesta: Free of Propylene Glycol, DEA, and more

Onesta product line is geared toward consumers that want to stay away from potential cancer causing ingredients.
Five cancer causing chemicals in beauty products have been identified at the website attached.
Onesta is free of parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, DEA, synthetic colors/dyes, and more. According to another blog review, you have to use a lot of product to get a good shampooing. It is not concentrated and does not suds much. I have smelled the product, and it smells like paradise. More citrus or flowery; definitely not herbal.
This is a picture of some of Onesta's literature. I found the product line in Blooming Beauty Supply Store at Northlake Mall in Charlotte, NC. I have not tried the line yet, but their literature gave me food for thought. I do not think that this product is going to outperform Pureology or other leading brands for styling and finishing results, but if you are organic conscious and looking for more natural products, then it is worth looking into!

On a separate note, please remember that all product lines that are paraben-free do not have a long shelf life because parabens are preservatives . . . So make sure the product is fresh by calling the manufacturer especially if the product does not perform as well as to be expected.